Tired of Training? Maybe You Need a Running Retreat.

Kapalua Coastal Trail - Taken by The RUNiverse editor Jill on a recent escape to Maui

Let’s face it. All of that long distance race training can get really boring. That “boring training syndrome” hit me during the last couple of weeks of training for my last half marathon. I got lazy and a little tired of my training schedule. I think that’s one of the reasons I had such a terrible race–I had tired legs and felt like quitting after mile 2. I suspect that I’m not the only one that deals with this affliction. Doug Hay at No Meat Athlete wrote a great piece about one way to handle the problem: a running retreat.

Doug lays out 3 easy steps:

Pick the perfect location.

Decide if you are going solo or not.

Don’t forget about your training.

I’ve never been on a running retreat per se, but I travel a lot. One of the perks of all that traveling is the ability to mix up my training with new and exciting locations. Whether I’m running the hills of San Francisco or along the Charles in Boston (yeah, I’m a snob like that), mixing up the training has always helped to keep me in gear and focused. Come to think of it, I haven’t traveled in 5 weeks–maybe that’s what led to my poor showing at the half marathon.

Your running retreat doesn’t have to be all about running. Don’t be afraid of a little rest and relaxation, too. Doug says:

So be sure to throw in a little fun. Enjoy a sunset along the trail near your campsite, make an after-run visit to a vineyard in a nearby town, or soak those weary legs in a swimming hole or salty ocean.